Learning From the Past: Experiential Learning Theory

Our brains are hardwired to learn from experiences thanks to our ancestorial genetics.

Since the moment we were born we began learning from our environment. Think about it, we weren't born with a book in our hands to tell us what what do to get our basic needs met. We learned from experiencing hunger or pain and that crying communicates we needed food, comfort, or medical attention. Through those experiences our brain created neural pathways that dictated the way we met our basic needs.

Why don't we all still cry to communicate our needs as adults then?

Because (through experience) we learned that crying hurts our social need for acceptance and respect as adults. As we grow up, our brains create new neural pathways as we experience daily life that change the way we behave and how we make choices.

Why is this important to keep in mind while designing instruction?

Experiential learning not only makes content more meaningful and relevant, it also creates new neural pathways for our learners. Neurons fire onto paths that are the deepest and easiest to travel.

But creating the pathway is just step one. We also need to give the learner opportunities to practice firing those neurons to help ensure it is the path of least resistance. By combining an experience and providing opportunity to practice your learner will have a well defined path and demonstrate authentic learning because;

Experience + Repetition = Authentic Learning

Happy Learning!

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